I decided to try and go for a unicycle ride today. An actual ride, not just a short trip to the grocery store or the next WG, but after about 100 meters I noticed something rattling in the left crank. I dismounted to look, and the bolt holding the crank arm to the axel had worked itself loose. Crap. I tightened it as much as I could by hand, and rode back home. Checked it again, and sure enough, loose again. So I knocked on Thomas's door to see if he had a socket wrench, which he did, but it wasn't big enough. He did, however, know a bike shop in Littenweiler about 1km away, so I schlepped my uni up there and had them tighten the bolt on both cranks, since I don't want to have this problem again. I suspect it's a combination of breaking the uni in and sloppy assembly at the shop where I bought it. No matter, off for a ride!

Once again, I discovered that the smallest change in the uni makes a huge difference when you're starting out. The fact that the crank was now properly attached, and not a centimeter or so out from the center meant I had trouble getting on again. This was quickly corrected, and I rode back past my WG down to the river, over the bridge, down to the next bridge, back over the river, and back home. I figure this is about 3 km, or 1.5 miles. I stopped once to rest, and only dismounted to cross bridges and once when I couldn't quite make it up a hill.

My original plan was to swing by Alban Stoltz and snag the stuff I had left in Seth's refridgerator, but I was having so much fun I completely forgot. So, back on the uni for another trip.

According to The Unicycling Society of America, there are 10 Skill Levels of unicycling. I haven't been officially tested, but based on my current abilities I'm confident declaring myself a Level 1 unicyclist, meaning I can consistently:
1) Mount unicycle unassisted
2) Ride 50 meters
3) Dismount gracefully with wheel in front.

The last is the hardest of the three, but I can do it if I really focus. I also have a Level 2 skill mastered, mounting with either foot, and I an working up to the 15cm drop. Basically, I can now ride down curbs without falling. As my steering improves, I'm sure I'll be able to do the others.

I still have trouble with sudden changes in grade, which is why I had to dismount (read: fall) when I tried to cross the bridges. A gradual grade change I can compensate for, but the bridges are arched, and they were just too steep.

I'm also tried a side mount ( Put your left foot on the left pedal and hold the seat in your hand. Move your right foot between your left leg and the unicycle. Swing it around the front of the seat, put the seat underneath you, and your right foot on the pedal.) a couple of times, and I think with a little practice I'll be able to do that.

So, my to-do list is:
Side mount
Work on hills
Work on tighter steering
Learn to Idle (This is a big one)
Learn to jump

I understand now why people always reccommend keeping a progress journal when you're learning to do something. Looking back, I noticed that I started on Sep. 26, meaning it has taken me 11 days to reach the point where the uni is a practical mode of transportation, and I don't feel like an idiot when I ride. Less than two weeks is far quicker than I ever expected, and more importantly, it is entirely too much fun.

The other result of all this is that I am friggin hungry right now, so I'm gonna go make dinner. Another attempt at Bratkartoffeln, plus some vegetables.